If it’s summertime, I’m generally on the hunt for the best anti-humidity hairspray. But this year I feel a heightened sense of urgency around finding the best hairspray for extra hold and zero frizz. Before the Chicago humidity set in, I’d optimistically RSVP’d to a series of invites for alfresco benefits, riverside dinners, and cocktails on the terrace. Now that these summery events are here, selecting outfits is the least of my troubles. The more pressing concern? Keeping my fine, prone-to-slipping hair in place for more than five minutes after I step outside.
This week, temperatures have soared into the 90s, and I’m headed to the Joffrey Ballet’s Midsummer Night’s Dream gala. Guests have been instructed to: “dress to frolic;” as such, I’m looking for a hairspray that will give my coif the lift, longevity, and Shakespearian-fairy whimsy I’m after. Tall order? Not if you have just the right anti-humidity hairspray in hand. (And maybe some of that gold leaf Evanie Frausto used to gild the performers’ hair at the 2024 Met Gala.) So that I can frolic away without a care for my hair, I asked the pros to share their picks for the best anti-humidity hairsprays for keeping hair sleek, smooth, and held in place all summer long.
Our Top Picks
In This Story:
Amika The Shield Anti-Humidity Hairspray
- Why we love it: Amika’s Anti-Humidity Hairspray is infused with ingredients that keep the hair smooth—and safe—on the most humid of days. “Sea buckthorn oil and hydrolyzed wheat protein help to strengthen your hair and prevent frizz,” says Rogerio Cavalcante, hairstylist and owner of The Second Floor Salon in New York. “Other ingredients, also derived from silicone and protein, create a protective layer and condition the hair to keep it smooth and manageable.” The formulation also contains polyquaternium-59, which acts as a UV shield. Cavalcante notes that the hairspray doesn’t offer a ton of hold; instead, “This is a great spray for those who like the texture of leave-in conditioner,” he notes. “Just apply it to damp hair before styling it to protect the hair from humidity.”
- Size: 5.3 oz
- Hold: Light
Kenra Anti-Humidity Spray
- Why we love it: “This spray’s copolymer ingredient creates a frizz ‘barrier’ that blocks out moisture and prevents frizz even in the most humid of weather,” Cavalcante says. The long-lasting formulation protects the hair from heat and humidity for up to 72 hours—and its hold can be adjusted to suit the needs of your particular coif. “It’s a low-hold product but it can be paired with mousse or a strong-hold hairspray if more control is needed,” Cavalcante suggests.
- Size: 5 oz
- Hold: Light
Oribe Imperméable Anti-Humid Spray
- Why we love it: “This hairspray is my personal favorite product—it’s super effective and versatile,” Cavalcante raves. “It can be used as a finishing spray for hold and shine, and as a prep step for styling the hair.” Tested in steamy Miami, the formulation contains the Oribe’s signature complex— a blend of watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower—to protect the tresses from photodamage. What’s more, its unique copolymer forms a protective barrier on the hair. “This keeps moisture out, and your style in place,” Cavalcante says. “I am always restocking this product when summer starts.” He adds that the Côte D’Azur scent— a mix of bergamot, jasmine, and sandalwood—is “a client favorite” in his buzzy NYC salon.
- Size: 5.5 oz
- Hold: Light
Virtue Frizz Block Smoothing Spray
- Why we love it: “Virtue Frizz Block Smoothing Spray is one of my favorite products to have ready in my kit, especially for the summer,” says editorial stylist and Virtue ambassador Xavier Velasquez. Formulated with a specialty lipopeptide that has humidity-blocking technology to control frizz, the lightweight spray also protects the hair from heat of up to 450 degrees. “I use it as the last layer of protection before heat styling and to really help lock in the style that I am about to create,” says Velasquez, who’s styled Scarlett Johansson and Maria Sharapova, among other celebs. “I like to layer it with volumizing products underneath so that styles won’t lose bounce and lift, and stay sleek.”
- Size: 5 oz
- Hold: Light
Garnier Fructis Anti-Humidity Spray
- Why we love it: The drugstore gem provides unflappable hold for up to 24 hours, and it works on all hair types. Formulated with bamboo extract, the smoothing spray wraps around individual strands, forming a barrier between the hair and frizz-inducing humidity. The light, fruity scent is a summery plus.
- Size: 8.25 oz
- Hold: Strong
Joico Power Spray Fast-Dry Finishing Spray
- Why we love it: Should you need to lock in a hairstyle for a full three days—for a free-spirited, yet well-coiffed weekend getaway, perhaps—Joico’s superstrength Power Spray is up to the task. With a fine, misty consistency, the spray is formulated with a flexible copolymer that provides an ultra-secure hold; still, it manages to leave the hair soft and flexible. It’s also infused with moringa seed oil, which is packed with antioxidants that strengthen, soften, and add shine.
- Size: 9 oz
- Hold: Strong
Got2b Glued Blasting Freeze Spray
- Why we love it: Looking to stay sleek and shellacked all evening? “This is a seriously strong hairspray!” Cavalcante attests. “It’s great for big events and voluminous updos.” He adds that the silicone-based ingredients create a protective, smoothing shield for the hair. “We know some people want to stay away from silicone, but this ingredient is part of the stronghold claim,” he notes. His preferred technique for using the Freeze Spray? “Spray a little bit at each strand after curling it, and [add] some more to finish the updo once it’s ready,” he says.
- Size: 12 fl oz
- Hold: Strong
Color Wow Cult Favorite Firm + Flexible Hairspray
- Why we love it: Formulated by hairstylist Chris Appleton—who tends to the manes of Jennifer Lopez, Ariana Grande, and Kim Kardashian—Color Wow Cult Favorite has, indeed, achieved cult status among industry A-listers. “It’s a miracle product,” gushes Priscilla Valles, a Los Angeles-based extensionist whose clients include Dua Lipa and Hailey Bieber. “It’s one of those products that does everything in one—flexibility, UV protectant, non-sticky, non-yellowing, humidity protectant, and more.” With hydrolyzed silk and hydrolyzed keratin to strengthen and repair, the spray provides all-day hold while keeping hair brushable and soft.
- Size: 10 oz
- Hold: Medium
TRESemmé Extra Hold Hairspray
- Why we love it: Justine Marjan, Tresemmé ambassador and hairstylist to Gwen Stefani and Ashley Graham, reaches for this strong-hold hairspray when she wants to lock in a style. “If I really need a look to last, I’ll spray a light mist through dry hair and brush through before going in with hot tools,” she says. “This allows for additional hold without the hair feeling stiff.” With a serum-like finish, the spray is formulated with proprietary Pro Lock Tech, which prevents frizz while moisturizing the hair.
- Size: 14.6 fl oz
- Hold: Strong
Redken Control Hairspray
- Why we love it: Raven Hurtado, a stylist at Chicago’s Maxine Salon, is a fan of this lightweight, vegan spray. Enriched with vitamin B5, which helps protect the hair from heat and sun damage, the floral-scented spray has a strong hold—but it doesn’t make the hair feel sticky or stiff. “It leaves your hair shiny and touchable, with no residue or flaking,” Hurtado notes.
- Size: 10.5 oz
- Hold: Strong
Sisley Paris Hair Rituel The Invisible Hold Hairspray
- Why we love it: As a member of the fine-haired tribe, my heart melts for Sisley’s luxe, invisible-hold spray. It mists on with a super-fine texture that doesn’t weigh down even the finest of hair; in fact it has an instantly volumizing effect. (Spray it close to the roots for a little extra oomph.) Plus, it’s infused with pro-vitamin B5, which strengthens and softens the hair, and vitamin E acetate to add shine. Then, there’s the scent—a citrusy, woodsy blend of amber, peach blossom, lemon, and verbena that lingers in the most alluring way.
- Size: 8.5 oz
- Hold: Light
Does anti-humidity hairspray work?
Rita Hazan, Rita Hazan Salon owner and colorist to Sydney Sweeney, Madonna, and Beyoncé, says that anti-humidity hairspray works in more ways than one: “It repels moisture in the air from affecting your hair by creating a protective barrier between your hair and the humidity in the air,” she says. Formed from ingredients such as copolymers, “The barrier not only protects your hair from excess moisture in the air but also locks the pre-existing moisture into your hair,” she adds. This contributes to a sleek, smooth, frizz-free look.
Some anti-humidity hairsprays, including Oribe’s Imperméable Anti-Humid Spray, contain alcohol denat. “Alcohol denat helps by drying any extra moisture that can lead to frizz and flyaways,” Cavalcante explains. Additionally, “using anti-humidity sprays with UV protection can work to protect your hair from sun damage,” Hazan says. For example, Amika’s The Shield Anti-Humidity Hairspray contains the polymer Polyquaternium-59, which acts as a UV filter and smooths the hair’s cuticles. Meanwhile, Color Wow’s Cult Favorite Firm + Flexible Hairspray is formulated with the UV protectant ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate.
How to use an anti-humidity hairspray
“A good rule of thumb is to spray the hairspray lightly eight to 12 inches away from the hair to make sure it is not over-saturating the strands,” says Marjan. “After styling, if the hair is down, you can lift the hair up and gently release it as you spray for additional hold. For smoother looks, I also love to spray directly on a brush before brushing through to tame frizz and flyaways.” If flyaways do pop up at any point, Hazan offers this tip: “Spray a tiny amount of the spray onto your fingertips, and swipe onto the needed areas to smooth [the hair] down.”
Valles adds that anti-humidity hairspray can also be used before styling to add texture and hold. While the hair is still wet, Valles recommends first lightly coating sections, then going in with the blow dryer. “This way the hair is protected entirely. If you want to avoid heat, you can also spray anti-humidity hairspray on damp hair and air-dry it—the product will still work!”
How to protect hair from humidity
As another rule of thumb, “To protect hair from humidity, you will want to use products that are labeled as ‘anti-frizz,’ ‘smoothing,’ and/or ‘humidity-proof,’” Hazan says. “If your hair is highly affected by humidity, it is recommended to wear your hair up, as it is a more ‘humidity-friendly’ style,” she adds, referencing the fact that updos can help conceal frizz. “Those with curly or wavy hair are most likely more prone to frizz, therefore they should try keeping their hair up as much as possible during humid days.”